Cinema VinesEd Sheeran took the stage at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, September 19, but the evening’s set was stripped of the supporting acts that had been announced for the Loop Tour. Macklemore was the first to be removed, after his pro‑Palestinian remarks at the New Jersey show sparked backlash from pro‑Israel groups and venue owners. Following Macklemore’s exit, the other scheduled performers—Irish band Beoga and a few additional acts—also pulled out, leaving Sheeran as the sole headliner for the night.
The concert’s start time was pushed back from the originally scheduled 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm, a change that came as a result of the sudden loss of opening acts. No replacement performers have been announced, and the lineup now consists only of Sheeran’s own set.
Ticket resale prices have plummeted in the days leading up to the show. According to TickPick data, the cheapest resale ticket on Friday morning was $51 (₹4,895.30), down from $100 earlier in the week. By Friday afternoon, StubHub listings had fallen even further, with tickets available for as little as $42 (₹4,031.43). The drop in prices coincided with a 54% increase in the number of tickets listed for resale between Tuesday morning and Friday morning, and a 25% overall price decline over the week.
The controversy began after Macklemore performed “Free Palestine” and the protest song “Hind’s Hall” during his September 4 appearance at MetLife Stadium. His remarks drew criticism from pro‑Israel groups, and the owner of the New England Patriots, Robert Kraft, publicly stated that Macklemore would not be allowed to play at venues he controls. The tour promoter, Messina Touring Group, later confirmed that several venues, including Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, had declined to host shows if Macklemore remained on the bill.
Ed Sheeran’s decision to remove Macklemore from the tour was not his own, according to statements from the promoter, but the move has left fans disappointed and the event’s schedule altered. The Philadelphia show, now a solo performance, proceeded as planned despite the lineup changes and the sharp drop in ticket prices.
